Blair's dangerous duvet days
As post-Blair politics takes shape, what new policy can Labour craft on Europe? The initial news last Friday morning that Downing Street was to appoint a secretary of state for Europe would have transformed British politics. First, it would have sent a clear signal to a leaderless Europe that Britain was prepared for a new role in the EU. Second, it would have obliged David Cameron to appoint a shadow cabinet member for Europe to deal with questions in the Commons - an appointment that would expose the enduring Euroscepticism deep in the Tory soul. And third, it would have finally forced Whitehall to take the EU seriously and move from defensive diplomacy to seeing Europe as the place where 21st-century Britain needs to be a commanding player.
Alas, Whitehall traditionalism and prime ministerial caution rose up to snuff out this bold, reforming proposal before it ever became reality. It is not a question of personalities: despite starting life in the camp opposed the then European Community, Robin Cook and Jack Straw dealt with Europe in a calm, professional manner quite different from the hysterical hostilities unleashed in the 1990s by the Major administration, and Margaret Beckett will maintain the steady pro-European line put in place by Tony Blair after 1997.
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